Online pharmacy safety bill endorsed by NACDS

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has expressed its support for The Online Pharmacy Safety Act, designed to help protect consumers from illicit online drug sellers.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) today expressed support for H.R. 4095, “The Online Pharmacy Safety Act,” which would help consumers protect themselves against the growing threat of illegitimate online drug sellers.

NACDS said that on Tuesday it sent a letter in support of the legislation (H.R. 4095) to its sponsors, Reps. Bill Cassidy (R., La.) and Mike Ross (D., Ark).

The bill would call on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to form a public registry of legal online pharmacy websites for consumers to access, according to NACDS.

"Your legislation takes important steps to protect the American public from unscrupulous Internet drug sellers that prey on unsuspecting Americans by posing as legitimate pharmacies and deceptively selling counterfeit, adulterated or misbranded medicines," NACDS stated in the letter.

The association noted that the bill "will provide Americans with the means to protect themselves against this growing threat by ensuring they have the resources they need to recognize safe and legitimate online pharmacies."

NACDS cited research indicating that about 17% of Americans, or more than 36 million consumers, have bought medication without a valid prescription via the Internet. Research also shows that up to 96% of the online prescription drug websites that U.S. consumers encounter are illegal, the association added.

"We thank you for your strong commitment to protecting the health and safety of the American public through this thoughtful bill," the letter said. "As Congress continues to debate issues related to prescription drug safety, distribution and access, we believe that the Online Pharmacy Safety Act should be an integral part of that discussion and that its enactment should be a top priority."

In December, NACDS endorsed companion Senate legislation sponsored by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif. and Jeff Sessions (R., Ala.). That bill, The Online Pharmacy Safety Act of 2011 (S. 2002), also would require HHS to create a public registry of pharmacy websites as well as update federal law on the definition of a "valid prescription."